Classic Rivalries

"The Army Cadets" (ND leads 36-8-4) The Army-Notre Dame series began in 1913 and was played every year from 1913 through 1947, except for the war year of 1918. The 1946 matchup was labeled as "The Game of the Century." That game, featured Army, the defending national champion from 1944 and 1945, versus the team which would win the national championship in 1946 and 1947. True to its billing, the game ended in a tie, 0-0. Perhaps the most dramatic single moment in this series occurred on November 10, 1928, when Knute Rockne used the "Win one for the Gipper" speech to defeat Army.

"The USC Trojans" (ND leads 42-26-5) Probably Notre Dame's greatest rival. The first Notre Dame-USC game was played in 1926, and except for the war-time travel restrictions of 1943-45, this "Big Game" has been played every year since. The teams have met in some incredible games, and the winner gets bragging rights and possession of the jeweled shillelagh for one season. Upon its initial presentation in 1952 by the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Los Angeles, it was said that this shillelagh will serve to symbolize in part the high tradition, the keen rivalry and above all the sincere respect which these two great universities have for each other. What more needs to be said?

"The Navy Midshipmen" (ND leads 63-9-1) In 1927, the Irish faced Navy for the first time. Now heading toward its ninth decade of play, the Notre Dame-Navy game is the longest continuous running intersectional rivalry in college football. The Department of the Navy chose Notre Dame as a site to run Officer Training programs, with the resultant infusion of naval students, helping to keep Notre Dame's books in the black through the war years. When head coach Frank Leahy and quarterback Lujack returned from two-year stints in the Navy, the Irish did not skip a beat. They posted four undefeated post-war seasons, winning three national championships. The Middies have been unable to upend the Irish since Roger Staubach's junior year of 1963, a very long draught indeed.

"The Pittsburgh Panthers" (ND leads 40-16-1) Some of the great Pitt teams have done will against Notre Dame, but overall the Irish own this series. In the last two meetings in which both teams were ranked, Notre Dame won by a combined 87-14. Pitt's greatest victory in this series came in 1937 when they beat 12th ranked Notre Dame enroute to a national championship.

Modern Rivalries

"The Miami Hurricanes" (ND leads 15-7-1). These teams squared off every year between 1971 and 1990. As expected, the Irish dominated the series until the 1980's. The highlights came in the 1988 and 1989 seasons. In 1988, #1 Miami lost at Notre Dame when Jimmy Johnson's squad failed to convert a late 2-point play. The win vaulted the Irish to #1 and they would go on to win their last national championship. The next season, it was the Canes turn to knock off the #1 Fighting Irish. And, just like the year before, the victor went on to win the national title.

"Boston College Eagles" (ND leads 7-3) A newer rivalry, but an interesting one considering these are the only two Catholic Universities that sponsor Division I football teams. Notre Dame's biggest win in this series came in 1992 when they destroyed the 9th ranked Eagles 54-7. BC got revenge in a big way the next year as a last second field goal cost ND a chance to play Florida State for the national championship.

"The Nebraska Cornhuskers" (Nebraska leads 8-7-1) This was a true rivalry in the early part of the past century. The two teams faced each other 11 straight years between 1915 and 1925 and ended that span 5-5-1. The Cornhuskers were the only team to beat "The Four Horseman", in fact they did so twice. The most lopsided Irish victory occurred in 1947 when they destroyed the Cornhuskers 31-0 in South Bend. The Huskers biggest victory occurred in the 1973 Orange Bowl. In Bob Devaney's last game, Heisman trophy winner Johnny Rodgers lit up the Irish with 5 touchdowns via rushing, receiving, and passing. It is hoped that this recently renewed rivalry can be continued.

"The Florida State Seminoles" - (Florida State leads 3-1) The Noles actually fit in the category of a "should have been" rival to Notre Dame. The teams squared off in three incredible games between 93-96, all of which were decided by 7 points or less. The highlights were #2 Notre Dame's upset of #1 FSU in 1993, and a thrilling Seminole victory in the last Orange Bowl to be played at the original Orange Bowl Stadium in 1996. This rivalry should be renewed!